5 Chic Kitchen and Balcony Designs For A Small Condo Unit

Condo units are cheap, convenient, but unfortunately usually small. For people who live in small unit, it is important to maximize the space inside their condo. That’s why it’s a little difficult to decorate. You have to figure out a way to make the small condo unit feel bigger without making it too cluttered. Here are 5 chic kitchen and balcony ideas for a small condo unit.

1. Take notes from Minimalist design and incorporate that into your home

Looking at minimalist design ideas are great to make your entire home bigger since less stuff generally means a bigger-looking space. Though you can pull off any look you want, the Minimalist interior decorating style really shines in a small space. That way you don’t have to sacrifice style even if you live in a small condo home. Thankfully, the minimalist style is very popular, so you won’t have to look hard to find pieces that fit. Think flat whites, sleek storage baskets, natural light-colored wood, and thin furniture legs and you’re good to go.

Thankfully, white is a beloved kitchen color and helps you spot any cooking stains quickly. For the balcony, a sleek white Nordic-Minimalist ottoman that has storage can instantly make the whole space cozy without making it feel cramped. Plus, it doubles as storage for off-season items, gardening tools, and whatnot.

There’s a lot of design ideas you can incorporate into your new home, so don’t think you need to be limited though.

2. Make the most out of your space with vertical shelves

When you live in a small space, always maximize your vertical space! In the kitchen, this can mean making the most of your cabinets, and installing more shelves. See if you can sneak in some more baskets on top of your built-ins, or see if there’s a way to utilize awkward corners.

For your balcony, look if you can utilize vertical space by hanging some planters versus putting everything on the ground. Pick furniture items that don’t take up a lot of floor area, and see if you can swap out floor items with hanging ones. For your kitchen, that might mean choosing floating shelves or more hanging racks to keep more items off the floor.

3. Size does matter

It’s important to get furniture that fits the space, there are furniture really made for condos with standard condo sizes in mind, so they make sets that are just the right size for a small studio unit you saw in Precondo or another searching site.

Ironically you would think that you should buy small furniture for a condo unit, but actually getting a few bigger pieces rather than a lot of smaller ones are recommended to let the eye wander naturally without making the space feel too cramped and cluttered. It’s all about the visual balance and symmetry. You can go big, even in a small space! Choose a few well-curated accent pieces that show off your style and personality. The less items, the more these pieces get accented.

For your kitchen, this means choosing your appliances wisely and making sure you have enough space to move around comfortably. The best appliances are those that can do double-duty versus one-trick wonders. Invest in things you can use for multiple reasons. For the balcony, it’s important to know what you want to use it for. Will it be a utility area, or maybe a plant haven to relax in? 

4. Let the light in

Lighting can drastically change the look and feel of your house. More bright light gives a more airy, spacious feel. Just look at this condo that boasts of beautiful natural light. Pair it with sheer curtains on a big window and you can enjoy the natural sunlight more, and make your house more spacious to boot. Opting for sheer curtains to separate your balcony area also makes the space look bigger.

Mirrors are also a well-known secret among designers when it comes to opening up a space. Placing a mirror in the kitchen may be unconventional, but using them is a good way to trick the eye into thinking that a space is bigger than it actually is. You can also replace the cabinets or even the backsplash with mirror-like surfaces. This helps bounce the light around which is useful in small, poorly-lit areas.

Takeaway: Just because you live in a small condo doesn’t mean it’s boring; there are ways to decorate so you don’t feel cramped. Let the constraints fuel your creativity and use it as a way to curate your way into a home that screams you without boxing you in.